Could psychedelics be fine-tuned to relieve anxiety but skip the ‘trip’?

Could psychedelics be fine-tuned to relieve anxiety but skip the ‘trip’?

Nature, Published online: 18 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00454-zInterest in psychedelic substances as medicines is rising. Identifying the neural circuits that mediate the benefits of psychedelics could pave the way for long-lasting anxiety treatments without the short-term sensory disturbances.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the worst mental health consequences of war. In addition to combatants, PTSD occurs among survivors of violence, victims of disasters, refugees, rescuers, victims of terrorist attacks — millions of people face the consequences of severe psychological trauma. Psychotherapy and antidepressants are used to treat PTSD, but they don't help everyone. In some cases, to rehabilitate people with post-traumatic dis…

Exeter scientists explore psychedelics as a breakthrough mental health treatment

Researchers are investigating how psychedelics could help treat PTSD and depression for patients who have not responded to conventional therapy